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Brisbane is the proper place for a weekend break. The capital of Queensland is the third largest metropolis in Australia, nevertheless it feels a lot extra laidback than Sydney or Melbourne.
It has the superb eating places, bars, and museums that you simply’d anticipate from an enormous metropolis, however the subtropical climate, riverside location, and luxurious greenery add a vacation vibe that we cherished.
That is our itinerary for a beautiful weekend in Brisbane together with scrumptious meals and drinks, tradition and leisure in South Financial institution, and loads of attractive river views.
On the finish, there’s a map with every little thing talked about.
Contents
The place to Keep for a Brisbane Weekend
We extremely suggest staying in South Financial institution on your weekend in Brisbane.
Positioned on the southern banks of the Brisbane River throughout from the CBD, it has nice transport hyperlinks to the remainder of town, beautiful views, and exquisite parklands.
We stayed on the Emporium Hotel South Bank, among the finest resorts within the metropolis with a major location, river views, and a cool vibe with vibrant decor and fashionable services.
We cherished our spacious, comfy river view room (we even had a bar space and wine fridge).
A spotlight is the infinity pool with cozy loungers and an epic view of the river and skyscrapers. The sauna and steam room subsequent to the pool are a bonus.
Check the latest rates for the Emporium Hotel here.
Different extra reasonably priced options in South Financial institution embrace Courtyard by Marriott Brisbane South Bank and Fleet Lane Apartments.
Getting Round Brisbane
You don’t want a automobile for this Brisbane itinerary and it’ll be simpler and cheaper to not take care of visitors and parking.
We obtained a taxi from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to South Financial institution, which took 20 minutes and price $67 AUD. A less expensive different is the Brisbane Airtrain, which takes 35 minutes to South Financial institution Station, proper subsequent to Emporium Resort, and prices $26 per individual (discounted should you book online).
Within the metropolis, we walked or rode e-scooters most locations. The scooters are such a enjoyable and simple strategy to get round, particularly on the riverside paths away from the street.
I like to recommend downloading the Neuron or Beam app in your cellphone so you could find the closest scooters. Beam didn’t work with out an Australian cellphone quantity, so we used Neuron.
We did take the practice as soon as to Fortitude Valley, a brief journey from South Financial institution. There’s sensible ticketing at most stations so we simply tapped on and off with our credit score/ debit card and didn’t want to purchase a ticket.
The CityCat ferry can be a great way to journey down the river. Or the CityHopper Ferries are slower however free. Verify Translink or Google Maps for timetables.
Weekend in Brisbane Itinerary: Friday Night
Dinner at Emporium Rooftop Bar
We arrived in Brisbane pretty late so stored it easy on our first night time with dinner and cocktails at The Terrace rooftop bar within the Emporium Resort.
Whereas the meals wasn’t our favorite in Brisbane (though the tofu kimchi dumplings have been fairly good), a go to right here is all concerning the epic views of the Brisbane River and CBD. It’s among the finest within the metropolis. Sundown is the proper time for a go to.
Simon’s Para-Paradiso cocktail in a tiki cup was additionally enjoyable!
Should you arrive in Brisbane earlier, I like to recommend taking the ferry down the river to Eat Street Northshore (from 4-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays and till 9pm on Sundays).
This worldwide meals market sounds wonderful with 70 merchants in transformed transport containers and reside leisure.
Saturday
Breakfast at a Farmers Market
Begin your Brisbane weekend with a go to to one of many farmers markets. Markets in Southeast Queensland are a few of the greatest we’ve visited as a lot wonderful produce is grown year-round within the delicate local weather.
The markets aren’t nearly fruit and veg, although. They’re an important spot for breakfast with espresso vans and meals vehicles serving every little thing from acai bowls to bahn mi.
Prime picks on a Saturday morning are Jan Powers Farmers Market in New Farm subsequent to the Brisbane Powerhouse (catch the ferry there) or West End Market (previously referred to as Davies Park Market), which is walkable from South Financial institution.
In case your two days in Brisbane occur to be throughout the week, head to the Brisbane City Market within the CBD on Wednesdays and Thursdays. There’s much less contemporary produce right here however loads of meals stalls.
Admire Fashionable Artwork at GOMA
Subsequent head again to South Financial institution to discover one of many many museums on this cultural precinct.
We cherished our go to to GOMA, the Gallery of Fashionable Artwork in a spacious fashionable constructing subsequent to the river.
Entrance is free (apart from some particular exhibitions) and exhibitions change frequently. We loved Braveness and Magnificence, which showcased modern Australian, largely aboriginal artists.
Don’t miss The World Turns sculpture by Michael Parekowhai on the lawns on the riverfront.
GOMA is open from 10am to 5pm every single day.
Different close by museums are the Queensland Artwork Gallery and Queensland Museum.
Brisbane CBD
From GOMA it’s a simple stroll throughout the Victoria Bridge to Brisbane’s CBD (Central Enterprise District).
The CBD is fairly customary for Australian cities and isn’t my favorite a part of town, so you might skip it.
If you wish to do some procuring, Queen Road Mall has all the large title shops (together with an Apple retailer).
King George Sq. is value visiting to see the immense Brisbane Metropolis Corridor with its clock tower (you possibly can climb it on a free tour) and gothic Albert Road Uniting Church, the purple brick constructing inbuilt 1889 that’s now overshadowed by the encircling excessive rises.
Brisbane Metropolis Botanic Gardens
A ten-minute stroll from King George Sq. are the City Botanic Gardens. The small riverside park is value a stroll with some spectacular fig bushes and fairly ponds.
Parliament Home is a heritage constructing situated subsequent to the park.
At night time look out for the “Fairy Bushes” by the Goodwill Bridge, which look magical coated in fairy lights.
From the gardens both head again to your lodge for a break or cross over the Goodwill Bridge to succeed in the subsequent cease on our Brisbane 2 day itinerary.
Sundown at Kangaroo Level Cliffs
Kangaroo Level Cliffs are a preferred climbing spot, however for the much less adventurous, the Kangaroo Level Cliffs Lookout has a beautiful view of the river and metropolis, particularly pretty at sundown.
It’s solely quarter-hour from Emporium Resort in South Financial institution. We walked alongside the riverside path previous public artwork earlier than climbing the steps to the lookout.
Afterwards, we discovered scooters close by so have been in a position to rapidly attain our subsequent vacation spot. In any other case, it’s a 30-minute stroll to Fish Lane alongside the riverfront.
Cocktails and Dinner at Fish Lane
Fish Lane is a cool laneway in South Brisbane filled with road artwork, eating places, and bars.
The transformation of city area is rather well finished with a parking lot below the railway bridge became City Sq., a lush inexperienced area with al fresco seating for Kiki cafe and bar.
We began with a drink at Maker, throughout the lane from the sq.. That is my good cocktail bar—an intimate area with largely bar seating, a small altering menu of artistic cocktails, and music at simply the fitting degree for dialog.
My tequila, pineapple, coriander, jalapeño, and lime concoction was considered one of my favorite ever drinks with simply the fitting stability of fruit, herbs, and spice.
Simon was equally pleased along with his uncommon mixture of bourbon, ardour fruit, white chocolate, and lemon.
Should you don’t handle to get a seat at Maker (go early, it opens at 4pm), Bar Brutus reverse regarded like one other cosy bar.
There are many dinner choices to select from. We went for plant-based Mexican at El Planta and we nonetheless rave about our meal there.
You’ll positively need to ebook a desk at this common spot. The menu of small plates and tacos modifications month-to-month and I don’t suppose you possibly can go incorrect—every little thing was tremendous flavourful.
We particularly cherished the guacamole (the mandarin oil took it to the subsequent degree), fish tacos (yep, these are vegan), and the papas con salsa.
The margaritas have been additionally good.
If we’d had area, we might have completed our Fish Lane night with a gelato at Messina.
If you’d like one final drink, we’ve heard good issues about Cobbler in West Finish, particularly for whisky followers.
On the best way again to your lodge, stroll previous GOMA to see James Turrell’s Night time Life, which illuminates the constructing from inside from sundown to midnight. (We sadly forgot to do that—I blame these cocktails).
Sunday
Breakfast at Lune Croissanterie
Our favorite place for breakfast in Brisbane is Lune Croissanterie (which we first found in Melbourne), so head to the Fish Lane department (there’s additionally one within the CBD) on your pastry repair.
It’s all good—the superbly crispy croissants and ache au chocolat, the decadent almond croissant (very filling!), and the stunning cardamon buns that have been a particular providing.
In case you are searching for one thing extra substantial, try these brunch spots in Brisbane. The West Finish is without doubt one of the most cafe-filled suburbs in Brisbane and a straightforward stroll from South Brisbane.
Wander the South Financial institution Parklands
Whilst you handed by the South Financial institution yesterday, at this time is the time to correctly discover the attractive riverside parklands. It’s all pedestrianised and is a pleasure to wander.
From Lune, head right down to the river to the long-lasting Brisbane Signal.
Proceed on the promenade previous The Wheel of Brisbane (which you’ll journey for a metropolis view, open from 10am) to the Nepalese Peace Pagoda. This lovely, hand-carved pagoda was contributed by Nepal to the 1988 World Expo.
Subsequent is the tranquil Rainforest Stroll with boardwalks by the luxurious bushes.
Riverside Inexperienced Playground is right for youths, as is the large Streets Seashore, a free lagoon-like pool with a sandy seashore and views of town skyline.
Whether or not you need to swim laps, wallow within the shallows, or play within the water options, it is a Brisbane should do for all ages.
Previous the pool you’ll discover the Epicurious Backyard, a volunteer-run group backyard the place you possibly can strive samples of the herbs, and a small pond.
The Arbour Walkway options curling metal columns clad in magenta bougainvillea. I like how they’ve used crops to create blissful shade from the Queensland solar. Metropolis planning at its greatest!
Picnic Lunch
There are many cafes and eating places in South Financial institution. I like to recommend having a picnic lunch on the seashore or one of many many lawns by the river. There are even free BBQs if you wish to grill up your personal feast.
Our decide is grabbing a takeout bahn mi from Bake N Grill Southbank. This informal Vietnamese restaurant has one of the best tofu bahn mi I’ve had outdoors Vietnam. It’s additionally some of the reasonably priced meals within the space at $10 a sandwich.
Swim at Streets Seashore
Spend the afternoon enjoyable and swimming at Streets Seashore or at your lodge pool if you’re staying on the Emporium, as we did.
Play at Netherworld Arcade Bar
Within the late afternoon, hop on the practice at South Financial institution for the 10-minute journey to Fortitude Valley.
This inner-city neighbourhood is thought for its nightlife and impartial boutiques on James Road.
Simply not far away from the station is without doubt one of the most enjoyable bars in Brisbane. At Netherworld you possibly can sip wonderful craft beer or cocktails (I cherished my mezcal Paloma) whereas taking part in classic arcade video games and pinball.
Video games are solely $1 and you will get cash or tokens from the bar utilizing your card, so no want to fret about bringing money.
Additionally they have a superb array of free board video games and outdated type sport consoles.
If we hadn’t had dinner plans, we’d have been tempted by their menu of largely vegan junk meals—scorching canines, burgers, nachos. The whole lot is plant-based by default, however you possibly can add in dairy or meat should you should.
We cherished the pleasant, relaxed vibe of this different bar. You would simply whereas away a complete afternoon or night right here.
Sundown Dinner at Howard Smith Wharves
The stroll from Netherworld to our subsequent cease isn’t probably the most nice as it’s a must to stroll subsequent to some busy roads, nevertheless it solely takes quarter-hour.
Howard Smith Wharves is without doubt one of the greatest locations to eat and drink in Brisbane. It’s proper on the river below the long-lasting Story Bridge with incredible views of town skyline.
I like to recommend coming for sundown and staying to see the bridge and skyscrapers lit up after darkish.
We ate at Japanese restaurant Yoko Dining—ebook an outside desk for one of the best views. We have been pleased that they’ve a vegan menu and the meals took us again to Japan. The eggplant nigiri was our favorite dish—we ordered a second spherical.
Different meals choices on the Wharves embrace Stanley for Cantonese, Greca for Greek, and Felons Brewery for pub grub and craft beers.
We picked up scooters once more for the journey again to South Financial institution and it was such a enjoyable journey! The Metropolis Attain Boardwalk is suspended over the Brisbane River and takes you from Story Bridge to the Metropolis Botanic Gardens with beautiful views of the CBD and never a automobile in sight.
On the gardens move the magical illuminated Fairy Bushes and cross over the car-free Goodwill Bridge to return to South Financial institution.
With plenty of bars and eating places on the best way, it’s among the finest issues to do at night time in Brisbane!
Extra Brisbane Weekend Actions
You probably have a full 3 days in Brisbane, listed below are extra strategies for issues to do on the weekend in Brisbane:
Brisbane Itinerary Map
Is Brisbane Price Visiting?
Sure, Brisbane is effectively value visiting! It makes an excellent weekend break, though you might simply spend longer (particularly to get pleasure from some enjoyable day journeys).
It’s an ideal mixture of scrumptious meals, attention-grabbing tradition, and leisure within the solar.
Extra Australia Posts
Queensland
Victoria
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